Kansas governor plans action on prairie chickens

Topeka  Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback is preparing to announce new responses to the federal government’s listing of the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species.

Brownback has scheduled a news conference for Tuesday afternoon at the Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita.

His office says he will outline steps to preserve the bird’s habitat while protecting the rights of businesses and landowners. It did not provide details.

A new state law that took effect last month declares that the federal government has no authority to regulate prairie chickens or their habitats.

Federal officials say the lesser prairie chicken’s listing in March was prompted by a steep decline in its numbers in recent years. But Kansas officials worry the federal government will restrict farming, ranching and oil and natural gas production.